Types of downlighters Downlighters operate at mains voltage (230 Volts) or are powered via a transformer at extra-low voltage (12 Volts). Extra-low voltage (ELV) downlighters are often described as “low voltage” on product packaging. Downlighters may also be described as ‘Fire rated’. This means they have in-built fire protection that completely seals the downlighter in the event of fire in the room below, to prevent the spread of fire and smoke into other areas. For all downlighters installed into a ceiling, the Electrical Safety Council recommends the use of ‘fire rated’ downlighters fitted with ‘aluminium’ reflector lamps (see ‘Different lamp types’ ) to ensure fire and excessive heat are kept out of cavities. Typical fire-rated Typical standard downlighter downlighter Also, where a downlighter is likely to be covered with thermal insulation in the cavity, it’s important to choose a downlighter that will operate safely under these conditions. MAY be covered with thermal insulation MUST NOT be covered with thermal insulation Thinking of installing new downlighters? The Electrical Safety Council recommends that you use a registered electrician to install your downlighters and that you keep the manufacturer’s instructions in a safe place for future reference, such as when you need to replace a lamp. When fitting replacement lamps: • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions • Check the packaging and the downlighter for details of correct replacement lamps and do not exceed the maximum allowed wattage • Always switch off the electricity before changing a lamp • Don’t fit a dichroic (cool beam) reflector lamp unless the downlighter is specifically designed for use with that type of lamp. If in doubt, fit only aluminium reflector lamps (see ‘Reflector types’ ) • If the lampholder is damaged, scorched or corroded, do not fit the lamp, and seek advice from a registered electrician. Different lamp types Twist and lock Push fit Mains (230 Volts) ELV (12 Volts) QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Downlighter safety Downlighters are one of the most modern and attractive ways to brighten up your home, but choosing the wrong downlighter, incorrectly installing it, or tting the wrong lamp can pose a serious re risk. This guide gives advice on how to prevent your downlighters from becoming a re hazard. www.esc.org.uk
Transcript
Types of downlightersDownlighters operate at mains voltage (230 Volts) or are powered via a transformer at extra-low voltage(12 Volts). Extra-low voltage (ELV) downlighters areoften described as “low voltage” on product packaging.
Downlighters may also be described as ‘Fire rated’. Thismeans they have in-built fire protection thatcompletely seals the downlighter in the event of fire inthe room below, to prevent the spread of fire andsmoke into other areas.
For all downlighters installed into a ceiling, theElectrical Safety Council recommends the use of ‘firerated’ downlighters fitted with ‘aluminium’ reflectorlamps (see ‘Different lamp types’) to ensure fire andexcessive heat are kept out of cavities.
Typical fire-rated Typical standard downlighter downlighter
Also, where a downlighter is likely to be covered withthermal insulation in the cavity, it’s important tochoose a downlighter that will operate safely underthese conditions.
MAY be covered with thermalinsulation
MUST NOT be covered withthermal insulation
Thinking of installing new downlighters?
The Electrical Safety Council recommends that you use aregistered electrician to install your downlighters and thatyou keep the manufacturer’s instructions in a safe placefor future reference, such as when you need to replace alamp.
When fitting replacement lamps:
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Check the packaging and the downlighter for detailsof correct replacement lamps and do not exceed themaximum allowed wattage
• Always switch off the electricity before changing alamp
• Don’t fit a dichroic (cool beam) reflector lamp unlessthe downlighter is specifically designed for use withthat type of lamp. If in doubt, fit only aluminiumreflector lamps (see ‘Reflector types’ )
• If the lampholder is damaged, scorched or corroded,do not fit the lamp, and seek advice from a registeredelectrician.
Different lamp types
Twist and lock Push fitMains (230 Volts) ELV (12 Volts)
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EDownlightersafetyDownlighters are one of the most modern and attractive ways to brighten up your home, but choosing the wrong downlighter, incorrectly installing it, or �tting the wrong lamp can pose a serious �re risk.
This guide gives advice on how to prevent your downlighters from becoming a �re hazard.
• Check for visible markings on downlightersindicating lamp wattage and lamp type
• Check downlighters and their surroundings forsigns of overheating such as curled labels anddiscolouration or scorching
• Ensure that downlighters installed in floor andceiling cavities have sufficient space around them
• Ensure that downlighters (and associatedtransformer where fitted) are not in contact with orcovered by loft insulation or combustible material,unless they are designed to operate safely in thoseconditions.
• Check that downlighters are not installed nearfurniture, curtains or similar combustible items
• If dichroic (cool beam) lamps are fitted indownlighters designed for use with aluminiumreflector lamps only, replace them with the correcttype - look for the symbol indicating no use of ‘coolbeam’ lamps:
Consider
• Using low energy lamps, such as compactfluorescent lamps (CFL) or light emitting diodelamps (LED), as they produce less heat than atraditional tungsten halogen lamp and so reducethe risk of fire. They also use less electricity.
Safe disposal of lamps
Some downlighter lamps, such ascompact fluorescent lamps (CFL),displaying the crossed-out ‘wheeliebin’ symbol, must not be disposed ofin general household waste. Take thelamp to a recycling facility thataccepts electrical products.
Check with your Local Authority for your nearestrecycling centre.
Need Help?For further information on downlighter safety, and to finda registered electrician near you, please visit:
www.esc.org.uk or call 0870 040 0561
AcknowledgementsSurrey Fire and Rescue ServiceThe Lighting AssociationCE Compliance SolutionsTenmat Ltd’Click’ Scolemore International Ltd.
COOLBEAM
Reflector typesThe dichroic and aluminium halogen lamps operatedifferently from each other but appear identical. It ispossible to fit either type in an extra- low voltagedownlighter. However, fitting the wrong lamp type cancause overheating, so it’s important to choose thecorrect type.
The type of lamp determines which way the heatgenerated by the lamp is reflected.
Dichroic or cool beamReflects visible light forwards whileallowing radiated heat to pass out of the back of the lamp– to be used indownlighters specifically designed fortheir use only.
AluminiumReflects both the visible light and mostof the heat forwards out of the front ofthe lamp.
Other markings to look for:
Do not use ‘cool beam’ dichroic reflectorhalogen lamps in this downlighter.
Minimum distance from lighted objects.
Only ‘self-shielded’ lamps can be fitted in thisdownlighter. The majority of halogen lamps havea protective shield, which blocks UV (ultraviolet)radiation and protects against the risk of the lampshattering.
Lamp (or transformer) is not suitable for use with a dimmer switch.
